The Different Parts of a Septic Tank

If you are experiencing septic tank problems or would like to prevent them, it's a good idea to have a general knowledge of the septic system in order to combat future problems and maintenance failures, or else help you to better understand why your septic tank is failing. First, there is the main sewer line (also know as the waste line or pipeline). This line is connected to your house and transports all the wastes to your tank. It is here that blockages can occur and where leaks and cracks can cause a septic tank problem. The main waste line goes into the septic tank, where all the solids and sludge is held at the bottom of the septic tank. The liquides or effluent is allowed to be distributed out of the tank by distribution lines. This allows the liquid to be seeped into the surrounding soil. The whole distribution area is called the leaching system. This acts like a drainage field for the liquid wastes and slowly seeps the waste underground, away from any water source. All these parts combine to make your septic system. It is likely that if you are experiencing septic tank problems, that one of these systems is malfunctioning.

Septic Tank Problems- Visual Inspection

If your septic system is failing or malfunctioning, it's always a prudent course of action to make a visual inspection of the area. This method is also a must when you are purchasing a new home or property. So, start by walking around the yard and looking for wet, smelly areas, or any place that indicates a septic failure. If you run into an area that is spongy and is giving off a strong odor, then it's a safe bet that there is a serious problem with the septic tank, and the the blockage or leak is in a nearby area.

If you are purchasing a home and are inspecting the septic system for signs of weakness, take note of the area in which the septic tank is located. Is it in a depression or flat area that is prone to flooding and poor drainage? Is the septic tank located near streams, rivers, ponds, your well, or other water sources? If any of these things are true, take extra precautions to make sure the septic system is working properly and does not have any problems.

Septic Tank Problems- Ask About the History of the Tank

When purhcasing a home with a private septic system, you should make sure that the system is working properly. Make sure you get an inspection before you blindly accept that the septic tank is working. Even though you may not find all the defects or problems, you substantially reduce the risk of having costly repairs and replacements of your septic system. A simple inspection can save you hundreds or thousands of dollars! So, if you do not hire someone to inspect the septic system, then you can do a little detective work on your own.

The first thing you should do is ASK the owner about the septic tank. Has it had any problems? How has the septic system been working for them since they owned the house? How long as it been sinced they pumped out the sludge from the septic tank? Get a good general history and background on it, and that should take care most of the common simple septic tank problems. The second thing you should do is ask a third party (like a neighbor or company that has done repairs or check-ups in the past) about the septic system. This can be time consuming, but well worth it if you want to be thorough. Then, when in doubt, just make a visual inspection of the septic tank and system. Does it look like it has been properly maintianed? If you want a professional inspection, then your chances of catching a defect or problem will increase.

High Water Table Causes Septic Problems

If you are experiencing spetic tank problems consitently during a rainy season or during the snow melt, then your problem might have something to do with a high water table. Soil saturation around the tank, pipeline, and trenches may cause a failure in your septic system. If you home is in a flat area and recieves an excess of rain or water from snow melt in the spring, then your house may have drainage problems, which means septic problems as well. If this is your situation, then you may want to consider installing drainage tiles around your septic tank system. These will effectively lower the water table, and put an end to your septic tank problems. Just make sure that the tiles drain the water into an open water source, such as a surface ditch or another drainage system.

Number One Septic Tank Problem

There are bascially two major causes of a septic tank problem, either there is a blockage between the septic tank and the house or a plugged sewer vent. Usually the biggest cause though is a blockage some where in the pipeline between the septic tank and the house. Blockages can occur becuase a scum layer of solids is plugging the pipe or inlet to the septic tank, or else there is a breakage in the pipe, in which case this section needs to be found and replace immediately. To remove the scum layer, most people need to hire a professional, as it is recommended if you want to do it effectively.

If the problem is in the house sewer, then a sewage routing tool can be used to remove the blockage and layer of scum. If septic tank problems continue after you've unblocked the line, or else the septic tank repeatedly fails even in a relatively new system, it may be a problem with the slope of the pipeline. In other words, the sludge isn't moving fast enough down to the septic tank, so it justs slows down and blocks the passage. If this be the case, you must totally remove and redo the sewage line and install the proper slope.

What Septic Tanks are Suppose to Do

Septic tanks are container that are suppose to help maintain the surrounding environment. They prevent your households wastes from contaminating the surround water supply, including your well, nearby rivers, lakes, and other water sources. If you septic tank is experiencing problems, it is likely that one or more these water sources are being violated with biological wastes and chemical contaminants that will hurt the environment. If you septic tank is failing, get an inspection right away or else call for repairs. Most septic tank problems and failures are caused by improper or lack or maintenance from the house owners. The biggest problem is a severe blockage of the septic pipeline system. This can be avoided if you take the proper procedures to maintain your septic tank. This includes actively pumping out your sludge on a regular basis.

What Causes Septic Tank Problems

There are a number things you should look for or consider when your septic tank isn't functioning properly. An evaluation company should take into consideration all of these questions. Below are some of the more major points:

• Consider the location and age of the septic tank. Where is your tank located? Could the surrounding soil or man-made objects have anything to do with your problem? How old is your septic tank? Is it malfunctioning from the normal aging process?
• Consider the surrounding soil (saturation point) and water table. Many septic tank problems are caused by insufficient soil density and high level of permeation. Check your water table to see if your area has a high level of water near your septic tank. Also drainage patterns should be analyzed. Is your area prone to channeling rain or attracting it into one spot?
• The time when your septic tank was last pumped. If it's been a while, it's time to check the level of sludge in your tank. This can very well be a major factor in creating problems for your septic tank.
• Check the plumbing leading to the septic tank. Have a history check to see if the plumbing fixtures have been moved or fixed recently intending to enhace the flow into the septic system. If your toilet is flushing flow, this can also be an indicator that you have a problem with your septic tank.
  

Septic Tank Problems- Inspect before you Buy

Many septic tank problems can be avoided by properly inspecting the septic system before you buy the house or property. This is both beneficial to the buyer and seller. The buyer is protected by paying a fair price for the property and is guarded against unwanted and extra costs, and the seller is protected because they will not have a lawsuit or other legal problems by unknowingly selling a defective or damaged septic system. A proper evaluation of the septic tank can also increase the value of the house if the septic tank is found without problems and in good working order. So, one step in preventing septic tank problems is by hiring a third party to inspect and check your septic system.